A few weeks ago Camden Rocks rolled around for another year and, with a few extra surprises including a last minute Bullet For My Valentine headline set, the weekend was a sell out. After a great time last year our editor knew she was going, but she decided to take along our assistant editor here at MOSH. He has a slightly more niche musical taste and sites genres such as sludge and doom as what he loves so Camden Rocks was certainly a treat! Find out what both of them thought in our mini reviews below. (Editors note: Excuse the sarcastic tone of Jay’s comments; he isn’t used to getting out of the house you see!)
[JH’s note: I feel like I’m being slightly misrepresented here. I’m not ‘miserable’. I just have taste.]
Fake The Attack
RW: It’s always hard for a band on so early, especially when the microphone of your singer isn’t turned up enough. Fake the Attack still sound like they’re trying to find their sound, but with a new release coming out soon we’re sure they sound better on record. 2/5
JH: They get points for mentioning Basingstoke and having a lot of enthusiasm, but I always think it’s a bad idea for a Paramore tribute band to not play ‘Misery Business’. 1/5
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Hyena
RW: In such a strangely organised venue Hyena sound strangely chaotic, but in a good way. There are some riffs and some energetic playing from the lads. We’ve just found out that they’re playing download and might have to check them out again! 3/5
JH: Finally, some riffs! Nice bluesy rock, some interesting stuff, definitely ones to watch. Just a shame the venue smells like an aquarium and only serves Coors light. 3/5
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E of E
RW: E of E have that same form of charm that early Don Broco had, the sort of overly manly rock with a bouncy edge and some catchy tunes. We’re excited to see where this band go. 3/5
JH: Blimey, they are very northern, I can’t really understand what they’re saying. All gratingly upbeat. Singers trying a bit too hard. Admire them playing the venue like it’s Wembley arena though. Fair play. 2/5
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Press To Meco
RW: Press to Meco have the edge between harmonious melodies and thrashy instruments and having seen this trio a few times before they just get better and better. It’s pretty awesome how much noise can come from three guys! 3.5/5
JH: Really nice three way vocal harmonies and some cracking drums. Shifts between djenty bits and more melodic stuff are a bit awkward. Still, they’re trying something different, props to ‘em. 2/5
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Glamour Of The Kill
RW: In a packed out Underworld Glamour of the Kill command the crowd like they’re used to playing shows like this every single day. Their set plays a lot of homage to their album ‘Savages’ and hearing the whole crowd sing the ‘woah oh oh oh ohs’ is something pretty special. Musically they’re on point tonight and the crowd seem to be enjoying every minute of it. 4/5
JH: Pretty standard metalcore stuff, similar in many respects to Bullet. Some nice vocal transitions, but otherwise a bit meh. 1/5
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Lawmower Deth
RW: After Glamour finish the Underworld empties and when Lawmower Deth come onstage there’s little going on in the crowd. But they don’t let this bother them as their rough and ready tracks are powerful and heavy, although sadly a lot of it just sounds the same. 3/5
JH: Comedy thrash metal? Thank god, we’re all saved. Brilliantly fast and fantastically ridiculous. What do you mean there are other bands next? Oh man … 3.5/5
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Ashes to Angels
RW: Definitely a strange decision to put Ashes to Angels on at the same time as Fearless Vampire Killers especially as their fan base are insanely similar. The Black Heart is pretty quiet and sadly the band don’t quite do enough to engage those we have made the effort to come down. 1.5/5
JH: NO. -5/5
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FVK
RW: Fearless Vampire Killers are always a pleasure to see as regardless of the venue or the crowd they play with the same emotion and effort as ever before. With Kier and Laurence changing positions as they bound between tracks from latest album alongside older tracks such as ‘Could We Burn Darling’. 4/5
JH: For such gloomily dressed young men, the tunes they write are pretty positive. The cider has truly kicked in and I can’t actually remember much more than a lot of black fringes. 2.5/5
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Polar
RW: Polar seem a little out of their depth on a stage of this side, but they try their hardest. They provide a welcomed heavier tone for the day but it would be nice if frontman Adam wouldn’t feel the need to swear every other world. 3/5
JH: Nice driving rhythms, but the singer needs to calm the fuck down. He’s swearier than an Osbourne with tourettes. Decent guitar and bass tone. Also, take off your windbreaker mate, you look hot up there. 2.5/5
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The One Hundred
RW: We can barely move in this venue and the stupid pole in the middle of the room obstructs pretty much the entire venue, but frontman Jacob wants to greet the whole room so jumps onto the bar to serenade everyone. Fast paced, chaotic and everything we’ve come to expect from them. 3.5/5
JP: Lot’s of bands have successfully mixed dance and metal. The One Hundred aren’t one of them. Like Enter Shikari’s snotty younger brothers who listen to too much bad dubstep. 1/5
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While She Sleeps
RW: After catching While She Sleeps at Slam-dunk we were super excited to see them a week later at Camden Rocks, and they did not disappoint. Their music sounds massive and the audience movement reflects this. Seeing them in a venue of this size reminds us how big the Sheffield metallers have become! 4/5
JH: Finally, something a bit ‘heavier’. Loz’s voice is pretty big, and the certainly handle the ‘anthemic’ side of the metalcore chorus. They’re just a bit too polished, need some dirt under their fingernails and more songs about Whiskey and dragons. 2.5/5
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Bullet For My Valentine
RW: Seeing Bullet in a venue of this size is something we’re unlikely to experience again so we’re excited before the band even launch into their first track. The second ‘4 Words (To Choke Upon)’ kicks in anyone older than a teenager is launched back ten years to when ‘The Poison’ first came out (yes, it was that long ago!) With 33% of the band being new they still gel and sound exactly like they always have. If a little bit of time away was what they needed we’re happy to welcome them back.
JH: Suddenly I am 14 years old again and it’s fucking brilliant. New bassist is just as good as the old one. Matt Tuck looks better now with his fresh from a job interview haircut. Commanding performance. Sure they play some new stuff, which is fine, but they play ‘4 Words’ and ‘Scream Aim Fire’ and the nostalgia comes on in waves. YES. 4.5/5
